Looking Out: Wrapping up
by Jim Whitehouse “Everyone is good at something,” says Lyle Pratt as we finish lunch at the cafe. “Except me—I’m good at everything.” “Right,” I say. “Except for all the stuff you mess up.” “Mm-hmm,” says Lyle. “Name one.” “Wallpapering,”…
ADPS Officer Chandler Barney and participating in Shop with a Cop program
By Sylvia Benavidez ADPS Officer Chandler Barney loves kids and when Albion Department of Public Safety Interim Chief Aaron Phipps asked Barney and Det. Billy Lazarus to join him for Calhoun County Shop with a Cop in Battle Creek, Barney…
Obituary: Donald Ray Harris Sr.
Donald Ray Harris Sr. of Albion, Michigan passed away on Dec. 22, 2024. He was born May 11, 1944, in Albion, Michigan. Don was a private man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bingo, and playing euchre at the Springport V.F.W. and…
Obituary: Robert “Bob” Louis Herwarth
Robert “Bob” Louis Herwarth, 90, of Battle Creek, passed away on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born on July 16, 1934, to Carl Julius and Iva Mae (Blunt) Herwarth in Battle Creek. On Sept.…
Obituary: Sharon Leora Smith
Sharon Leora Smith, 78, of Albion, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.She was born on Feb. 12, 1946, to James and Leora (Jennings) Clark at Albion, Michigan. Sharon was a graduate of Sturgis High School. On Sept. 8,…
Obituary: Verl T. Williams
Verl T. Williams peacefully passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. He was born on Dec. 1, 1944, in Pineville, Louisiana, to Mack and Lucy Thomas. As young children, Verl and his twin brother, Earl,…
Merry Mile breaks Egg Nog Jog attendance and volunteer participation records
by Sylvia Benavidez Presented by the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Marshall the Merry Mile light display continues to grow in its 8th season with more people volunteering to help set up lights, participating in the Egg Nog Jog, and driving…
Mike’s Musings: Those that gave deserve praise and accolades
Don’t tell me people are inherently stingy and rude. Because what I witnessed this holiday season was just the opposite. As many of you know we had our Christmas Wish Fund in December, like we have done for many years…
AR Boys Basketball for Dec 20
Vandercook Lake Earns First Boys Basketball Victory Photo, story by Jeff Steers Recorder Contributing Writer Vandercook Lake High School earned its first win of the season in boys basketball. The Jayhawks defeated Manchester 40-34 at home last week. Here are…
Looking Out: A Living Tree
by Jim Whitehouse Usually, my beloved wife Marsha and I go to a tree farm and cut a fresh Christmas tree in the hopes that the inside of our car and house will remain needle free. This year, we had…
Obituary: Elizabeth (Libby) Hull
Elizabeth (Libby) Hull, 101, died Monday, Dec. 16, at Heritage Assisted Living in Battle Creek. She was born Nov. 18, 1923, in a farmhouse outside Marshall, Michigan to Clarence (Mac) and Blanche McFadden. Soon after, the couple divorced so she…
Obituary: Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin
Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin went home to Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. She is preceded in death by her husband Max (2004), son Stan (2009), grandson Brian, younger brothers Dale, Phil, and Bing (Gary) and her parents, Kenneth and…
Albion City Council closes out the year
By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer The Dec. 2 meeting of the Albion City Council began with a heartfelt farewell letter read by former precinct 4 council member Marcola Lawler. Lawler was unseated in the November election by challenger C. J.…
Interim Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps on keeping ADPS moving forward
Sylvia Benavidez Interim Albion Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps had the honor of seeing one of his new public safety officers graduate from Kellogg Community College on Dec. 15. With Lt. Bill Timmins at his side, Phipps was happy to…
Jackson County board cuts sheriff’s budget by $615,000
By Ken Wyatt Despite public pressure against it in a year-end budget crisis, the county board has approved $615,000 in cutbacks to the Jackson County Sheriff’s budget. The crucial decisions were made Tuesday evening at the County Tower Building. In…
Mike’s Musings: Businesses, citizens come to the aid of disadvantaged families
People say times are tough, and if you sat down next to me while we were reading about all the horrible situations families had endured this past year, you could do nothing but agree.Our annual Christmas Wish Program was conducted…
Mike’s Musings: Penny should have not been brought to trial
A 26-year-old former marine has had his life turned upside down after trying to subdue a stranger on a subway in New York City. Daniel Penny jumped in to stop the stranger who was threatening to kill other passengers. For…
Looking Out: Where am I?
by Jim Whitehouse “Which way?” I holler back to Dr. Routemeister as we approach an intersection on our bicycles. “Turn right!” he hollers from behind. Two miles later, we are approaching another corner, and as usual this time he…
Feed Jackson Initiative Gives Away 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals
A group of restaurant owners, friends, and volunteers got together last Wednesday to help Jackson residents. In the end more than 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners were issued to local residents. Baby Bear Burger owner Marshawn Goodloe and a host of local…
Historical Notebook: STARR COMMONWEALTH FOR BOYS WORLD WAR II CHRISTMAS STAMPS
By Frank Passic For many years in the 1940s through 1960s, Albion’s Starr Commonwealth For Boys west of town annually issued their own “Christmas stamps” as a way of bringing attention to this esteemed organization’s needs during the holiday season.…
